INSPIRED by Torvill and Dean’s TV show Ice Rink on the Estate, Planet Ice in Basingstoke are looking to give beginner skaters aged between eight and 14 the chance to learn to skate.

The Basingstoke Arena is opening its doors at midday on Saturday, April 25 and will select 15 youngsters to take part in their new initiative called Skating Stars.

Rink manager Anita Curtis said: “Having seen the work that Chris and Jayne did with young people from the community of Nottingham, we felt it was a great opportunity to get on board and try to improve the confidence of the youngsters in our community as well.”

The selection process is open to young people with no previous ice skating experience.

Each of the 15 prospects will be issued with an unlimited skating pass and six Learn to Skate lessons to cover a period of six weeks.

After that period, there will be a selection process to take the 15 down to 10, and then after a further six weeks the 10 will be reduced to five.

The final five will feature in a gala night of skating along with skaters from Basingstoke Ice Skating Club, during which each of the finalists will skate two short pieces.

After this, a winner and runner-up will be announced and both skaters will receive a brand new pair of skates.

The winner will also receive a year’s free unlimited ice skating pass, including skating lessons, and the opportunity to feature in a national ice show.